The Spire Oct 2013

Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria, Virginia Can YOU feel the spark in the BOLD IDEA? A Bold Idea to advance our mission was proposed by the Re-Visioning Committee at the September 15 adult forum. Church of the Resurrection would: Work with developers and other partners over a five-year period to replace the church with a new structure that would: ? House Church of the Resurrection and other mission programs on the ground floor, ? ? INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Priest in Charge.......... 2 Welcome to the NEW Spire...... 3 We are bonkers for Bunco......... 4 Provide apartments, including a percentage of workforce or senior apartments or some partnership with Goodwin House, on an additional five to six floors. Retain the sanctuary cross, the organ and the Memorial Garden for the new space, as well as other valued items that might work in a new setting. ? Contribute the land, and get back either a significant endowment or an annualized income. ? Have to find alternative church space for about two of the five years. A reflection for pet blessing day ..................... 4 The Diocese of Virginia has given us the “go ahead” to pursue this plan. Although there is a proposed preliminary plan nothing has been finalized and no commitments have yet been made. Everything is open for discussion. 50 Years, 50 Profiles ................5-7 Some parishioners’ comments from the meeting: October Birthdays....................... 7 Stewardship meditation .............. 8 Meet Ann Truitt .......................... 9 Summer Church school update ....................................... 9 Pastoral Care .............................. 10 Fall Sunday school program .................................. 11 Words count .............................. 12 ? We need to ask this question: does this idea feel right – does it feel like us? If the answer is “yes” we should pursue it. ? Has the Committee considered developing a virtual church online, creating ministries from that? Both community and communication can be enhanced by this approach. ? Let’s stop talking about re-visioning and start describing the process as “transfiguration.” Dictionary definitions of Transfiguration: “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state” “to change the appearance of a person or thing very much, usually in a very positive and often spiritual way” Continued on Page 3